Siberian Husky

Also known as: Husky, Huskie, Arctic Husky, Seppala Husky, Seppala Siberian Sleddog

The Chukchi people of northeastern Siberia bred these dogs for centuries to pull light loads efficiently across vast distances on minimal food, yet the FCI lists the country of origin as the United States, since that's where the modern breed standard was actually shaped after Siberian dogs arrived in Alaska during the gold rush. Their most famous moment came in 1925, when relay teams of Siberian Huskies carried diphtheria antitoxin nearly 700 kilometers to Nome in a blizzard, a run still commemorated by Alaska's Iditarod race. An adult male tops out around 27 kilograms, built for endurance over distance rather than raw pulling power, which is why they lose weight-pulling contests to heavier breeds but win long-distance sled races. The double coat insulates against extreme cold so effectively that huskies often prefer sleeping outside even in winter, curling their tail over their nose for warmth. Blue eyes, brown eyes, or one of each all fall within the breed standard, unlike most breeds where eye color options are limited. They were never bred to guard territory, so a husky is a poor watchdog and often startlingly friendly with strangers. The pack instinct runs deep enough that a lone husky left alone too often will howl rather than bark to signal distress. Escape artistry is a real trait, not exaggeration: they can dig under or climb over fences that stop most other breeds. Life expectancy runs 12 to 14 years.

Browse dog food sized right for this breed

Siberian Husky: how old in human years?

51–60 cmHeight
16–27 kgWeight
12–14 yrsLife expectancy

Shiba Inu

FCI group: Spitz and Nordic/Ancient-type Dogs
FCI section: Section 1: Nordic Sledge Dogs
FCI: 270
Country of origin: United States of America

Energy level

5/5
Trainability

3/5
Family friendly

4/5
Grooming need

3/5

At a glance

Height

Males 54–60 cm

Females 51–56 cm

Weight

Males 20–27 kg

Females 16–23 kg

Life expectancy

12–14 yrs

Coat

double coat, medium length (medium-length)

Temperament & Family Life

Siberian Husky's average temperament and family-life score for this breed is moderate.

Family friendly 4/5
Good with children 4/5
Good with other dogs 4/5
Friendly with strangers 3/5
Intelligence 4/5
Trainability 3/5

Exercise, Energy & Space

Siberian Husky's energy and exercise needs are moderate.

Energy level 5/5
Exercise need 5/5
Apartment friendly 1/5
Prey drive 4/5
Hunting instinct 3/5

Guarding & Alertness

Siberian Husky's guarding and alertness traits are low.

Guarding instinct 1/5
Watchfulness 2/5
Barking level 2/5

Grooming & Care

Siberian Husky's grooming needs are moderate.

Shedding 5/5
Drooling 1/5
Grooming need 3/5

Living with the Siberian Husky

A January morning, minus fifteen, and while you're still hunting for your gloves the husky is bouncing at the door. This Nordic sled dog was built to run long and steadily, and that engine is still in there: it needs not a stroll round the block but real work, such as long runs, hikes, sled-dog sports or trotting beside your bike when it's cool. In summer, move all of that to the early morning, because a coat built for frost becomes a burden in the heat.

A husky is clever, but its brains work for itself. It understands perfectly well what you're asking, then weighs up whether it's worth the bother, so training calls for patience, humour and a really good treat. Off the lead it may simply head for the horizon, and a cat or a hare behind the bushes is an invitation, not a neighbour, so fences need to be high and secure.

With people it is friendly and open, fond of the family, children and other dogs, and more likely to sniff a stranger than bark at one, so don't expect a guard. It isn't much of a barker, but it happily makes its views known with howls and a kind of running commentary. A flat is a tight fit, and a husky left alone and bored for long will find its own entertainment; your sofa and flower beds will have stories to tell.

Grooming and coat

A husky's double coat was designed for a northern winter: a dense, soft undercoat for warmth and straight guard hairs against snow and wind. For most of the year a brush-out once or twice a week is plenty, but a couple of times a year the undercoat comes away in whole clumps, and then a brush and a wide-toothed comb become daily tools and the vacuum cleaner your closest ally. There's no need to shave the coat: it protects against both cold and summer sun. Check the skin as you brush, because redness or flakes in that thick undercoat stay hidden until you go looking.

Husky ears stand upright and air well, so a quick weekly look will do: clean, pink inside and odour-free means all is well. Look at the eyes in daylight, especially pale ones; you now know that cloudiness or a spot is a reason to see a vet. Brush the teeth with a dog toothbrush several times a week, daily if you can manage it; a husky who has learned it only takes a minute will protest in nothing worse than its loud, singing voice.

How to do it:

By age:

Health and possible conditions

Ice-blue, brown or one of each, a husky's eyes are what people notice first, and fittingly, three of the five conditions below concern them. Overall this is a tough, enduring dog that lives twelve to fourteen years, so the list is here to help you spot changes early, not to worry you. If something seems off, see a vet, who will decide what it is.

This is general information, not veterinary advice. For your own dog's health, tests and treatment, see a vet.

Cataracts

A cataract is a clouding of the lens: the eye's clear lens gradually turns milky and lets less light through. You might see a bluish-grey or white haze deep in the pupil, or notice your dog bumping into things at dusk. A husky's pale eyes can be deceptive at a glance, so any new cloudiness is worth showing a vet.
Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)

PRA is an inherited disease in which the retina, the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye, slowly wastes away and sight fades. Night vision goes first: a dog that races about confidently by day starts hesitating at stairs or a dark doorway in the evening. Huskies adapt cleverly and lean on their noses, so the change can go unnoticed for a long time; when in doubt, ask a vet.
Corneal dystrophy

Corneal dystrophy is an inherited change in which fine whitish or silvery deposits build up in the cornea, the clear window at the front of the eye. You may notice a small glittery or greyish spot on the surface of the eye while your dog carries on entirely unbothered. Husky eyes are bright and pale, so such a spot is fairly easy to see; what it means is for a vet to judge.
Hypothyroidism

The thyroid makes too little hormone, and the whole body shifts into power-saving mode. A husky that used to run forever starts tiring quickly, gains weight, seeks out warm spots, which is very unlike a husky, and its famous coat thins or loses its shine. In a dog this driven, sudden sluggishness is not a personality trait, so let a vet find the cause.
Hip dysplasia

Hip dysplasia is a fault in how the hip joint develops: the ball of the thigh bone sits loosely in its socket, and over time the joint wears. You might see your dog limping after a long run, getting up slowly, or pushing off with both hind legs together like a rabbit. For a husky, moving is the whole point of life, so any change in gait deserves a vet's attention.

Food for large breeds — cheapest per kg

This list is chosen by the breed's weight (27 kg) rather than the breed itself: shops label food by dog size, so every breed of the same size gets the same list. Prices are updated daily.

≈ 295 g of dry food a day, from €16,14 a month For a neutered, normally active 21,5 kg dog. Calculate for your dog